Weight Distributing Trailer Hitches The other day I was on the highway headed to town, when I saw, for the first time ever, a trailer situation that scared me! There was a big white SUV towing an even bigger travel trailer, and the trailer was so heavy that the front end of the SUV was visibly lifted higher than normal, and the hitch and trailer tongue were much too close to the ground. Clearly, this guy needed a weight distributing hitch.
What exactly is a weight distributing hitch, you ask? Well, in very simple terms, its extra equipment, including spring bars that you use when hitching your really heavy trailer. What it does is distribute the tongue weight of your trailer to the axles of the trailer and the front axle of the tow vehicle to level things out when your tongue weight is too high for your hitch.
How do you know when you need a weight distributing hitch? Without hitching up your trailer and checking your vehicle for level, you can look at the numbers and figure it out. You need to know your tongue weight (TW). Compare the TW of your trailer with your hitch’s TW capacity, and if you are over that number, you need a weight distributing system.
Your receiver hitch (class IV and class V) comes with two weight limits for both TW and GTW (gross towing weight). The lower numbers are the weight carrying limits (without weight distributing hitch) and the higher numbers are the capacity with weight distribution. Use those numbers to find the weight distributing system that has the capacities you need.
For example, a vehicle that can tow a trailer with up to 750 lbs. TW and up to 7,500 lbs. GTW with a standard Class IV weigh carrying hitch could possibly tow up to 1,200 lbs. TW and up to 12,000 lbs. GTW with a weight distributing hitch. However, please remember that these weights are hypothetical, and your towing capacity depends on your specific vehicle. Consult your owner’s manual for towing capacities of your vehicle.
With a weight distributing hitch, not only will you look a whole lot smarter than the guy with his front end up in the air, but you’ll find your ride is smoother and your braking and steering control better as you get down the road.
If you have any questions call us at 1-800-841-4661 or visit us at www.discounthitches.com
